RememberSchiff

Gold Standard Checklist (Child USA's Gold Standard pages 19-21) Primary Prevention Background Screening Written, signed employment or volunteer application Conducts structured interviews Calls and speaks to at least 3 references Conducts multiple levels of checks for every employee or volunteer Conducts background screenings for all third-party contractors who have contact with children Conducts international background checks for all potential employees and volunteers who have lived in other countries Employee must pass background investigation before beginning employment Repeat background screening at least every five years Safe Physical Environment and Adequate Supervision Visibility throughout the building, Bright lighting in all areas Clear windows to allow visibility into offices and meeting rooms Formal screening procedures for building entrances and exits, including a sign in/out sheet and a staff monitor Video surveillance technology in all spaces where adults have contact with children. Adequate staff-to-child ratios Adequate supervision to staff to perform regular, unannounced site visits Separate sleeping, changing, and bathing accommodations for adults and children during overnight trips Prohibit staff / volunteers from providing one-on-one transportation for children Prevention Training Provides child sexual abuse prevention training for employees / volunteers, parents, and children Require training for employees / volunteers to be completed within 30 days of being hired and before working with minors Repeat training at least annually Utilizes evidence-based training programs Code of Conduct Provides guidelines on appropriate physical contact Provides guidelines on verbal interactions, prohibiting sexualized conversations or emotional boundary violations Provides guidelines for interacting digitally and/or on social media [12] Prohibits grooming behaviors such as forming special relationships or giving children special gifts or privileges Prohibits sharing sleeping quarters with children during overnight trips or travel for competitions The Code of Conduct explained to children and parents and posted on the organization’s website Prohibits off-site interactions between staff / volunteers and children unless part of organizational activity with parental permission. Prohibits one-on-one interactions between adults and children Requires staff and volunteers to sign a statement of receipt and agreement with the Code of Conduct upon being hired and annually thereafter Reporting Red-Flag Behaviors Designates an internal officer within the human resources department to receive all reports of “red flag” behaviors and coordinate a response Provides a confidential means of making reports if the reporter wants to remain anonymous Conducts a risk assessment following reports of concerning behaviors Determines fitness for employment and decide on any restrictions Limits contact with minors to supervised interactions until decision is made Notify all future employers of boundary violation concerns Response to Abuse Reporting Abuse to Civil Authorities Makes it clear in policies that abuse only needs to be suspected; personnel are not to attempt to carry out their own investigation Reports all allegations of abuse, including those beyond any statute of limitations, to authorities as required by law Requires reporting within 24 hours of first knowledge or disclosure of abuse Lay out who to call, information to include in call, and phone numbers to call Provides information on how to report abuse on website and in child-friendly posters on the organization’s premises Suspected abusers should not be confronted by staff; first contact should be made by law enforcement Establishes penalties for failures to report, including organizational and legal consequences Establishes whistleblower protection policies and provide good-faith immunity for reporters Cooperation with Independent External Investigations Informs law enforcement of suspected or known abuse and cooperate with investigation Seizes evidence in a timely fashion Describes and documents evidence in writing and preserve descriptions in records Turns all evidence over to civil authorities Suspends accused staff member or volunteer during investigation Prohibits accused from contacting or retaliating against victim in any way Asks coworkers and direct supervisors to report any inappropriate behavior they have observed Prohibits transfers within the organization or employment recommendations while investigation of abuse is pending Victims' Rights and Assistance Posts victims’ rights throughout the premises, on the website, and in an employee / volunteer handbook Establishes rights for victims to: Physical and emotional safety Privacy Report abuse Receive support and assistance (e.g., counseling, mental health treatment) Know the status and results of any investigation An apology letter from YSO leadership Not be bound to a confidential settlement agreement Acquire legal representation Establishes an independent victim’s assistance coordinator Provides funding for counseling or mental health treatment regardless of victim’s decision to pursue legal action Recognizes need to prevent revictimization and develop a plan to meet any special needs of the child so that he or she can feel safe within the organization Monitoring and Evaluation Takes corrective action to strengthen policies and practices following the completion of civil investigations Strengthens policies and practices through continuous evaluating effectiveness of practices and programs Evaluates policies and programs with evidence-based methods and strategies Establishes regular benchmarks and milestones for meeting prevention goals Considers external audits to probe for other areas of weakness in program and policies

Nov 20, 2024 Scouting America will adopt Child USA's Gold Standard Tool According to Glen Pounder, Chief Safeguarding Officer at Scouting America, “As an organization, Scouting America is dedicated to becoming a leader in safeguarding youth, inside and outside of Scouting. We are impressed with CHILD USA’s Gold Standard not only because of its efficiency, but also what we have been able to learn from it. We would recommend this for any youth-serving organization dedicated to effective and comprehensive child sex abuse prevention.” Conclusion from Child USA's Gold Standard Tool "YSOs exist to improve children’s lives. Unfortunately, organizations have failed too often to put adequate protections in place to prevent CSA and to respond appropriately when abuse is uncovered. CHILD USA’s Gold Standard provides an accessible set of recommendations that YSOs can implement to make sure they are up to date on best practices in CSA prevention. Youth-serving institutions need strong policies to provide a blueprint of appropriate behavior. Policies and procedures also represent important risk-management tools for the prevention and early identification of sexual misconduct and for protecting those vulnerable to or already victimized by misconduct. However, good policies are only the first step to preventing CSA. Risk of CSA grows in an atmosphere of secrecy. Preventing future abuse requires educating children, parents, and personnel at all levels of an organization about abuse and encouraging them to speak up whenever a concern arises. YSO leaders must also work closely with their employees and volunteers to constantly reinforce an organizational culture of prioritizing child protection first and foremost. Values such as transparency, accountability, and an emphasis on children’s rights can form the basis of such a culture. Ultimately, it is up to the adults responsible for caring for children to demonstrate a total commitment to their safety, which starts with sound policy and continues as a constant process of vigilance, evaluation, and recommitment to preventing CSA. - Child USA Gold Standard" Sources: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/11/20/2984723/0/en/CHILD-USA-Partners-with-Scouting-America-to-Prevent-Child-Sexual-Abuse-Through-the-Adoption-of-the-CHILD-USA-Gold-Standard-Diagnostic-Tool.html https://childusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/CHILD-USAs-Gold-Standard.pdf

Instead of looking to sell camp. maybe apply for conservation grants. Here is an example with Tampa Bay Water and a Girl Scout Camp. Application deadline is this Friday Nov 22!

Nov 15, 2024: Heritage Auctions sold 25 works, raising $3.7 million for the settlement fund. ...the organization (BSA) also sold more than 30 council properties as of last month. “The reality is for most survivors, all this resolves is the bankruptcy, it doesn’t resolve their pain and it doesn’t resolve what was taken away from them,” Doug Kennedy, a survivor and co-chair of a committee representing victims, told the AP. More details at sources: https://apnews.com/article/art-auction-boy-scouts-norman-rockwell-e1d4b54ac1941c00494c99a8bbb1660e https://www.elpasoinc.com/first-batch-of-boy-scout-art-raises-over-3-7-million-for-those-abused-while/article_ea2895f7-f26f-54b6-ab42-44bc52a024c5.html https://thehill.com/homenews/4993294-boy-scouts-norman-rockwell-sale/

Update 11/4/2024: Now ain't this a coincidence... The Hernando County Chamber of Commerce met on Wednesday for their monthly breakfast meeting at the Sand Hill Scout Reservation. Century 21’s Broker-Owner Marilyn Pearson-Adams kicked things off by discussing her firm, which sponsored the meal, before the keynote speaker’s presentation. “Family first is our motto,” Pearson-Adams said. “The reason that is important is obviously we are blessed to go out every day and make the American dream of home ownership a reality and to provide shelter for family. That is what we do, and we take that very seriously.” ... While members munched on the morning’s morsels, the Florida Association of Realtors’ Chief Economist, Dr. Brad O’Connor, came forward to talk about the development of the Florida housing market... More at source: https://www.hernandosun.com/2024/11/04/dr-oconnor-provides-florida-real-estate-update-at-chamber-breakfast-meeting/

11/6/2024, Alexandra Jones reporting from today's hearing: https://www.courthousenews.com/sex-abuse-victims-fight-to-thwart-boy-scouts-2-4-billion-bankruptcy-payout-plan/

Update 11/04/2024: Mr. Krone has now served one year as BSA President and CEO.

@skeptic Thank you. I cut and pasted from an OldGreyEagle 2008 post as this may be easier to read ~RS Ladies and Gentlemen. I have been asked to explain to you what the Boy Scout movement is. It is a tall order to compress into three minutes the ideals that are being followed by over a million and a half of boys. The movement primarily is a brotherhood of service of boys and men. Its school of character of citizenship, of personal efficiency for the good of the community. This sounds high-falootin. For what is as we know it, a band of bare-kneed rascals, with cowboy hats and staves in their hands. But remember, you cannot give them character through ordinary classroom methods. You have to use other means. The boys are eager to join in a jolly game of fellowship, with its Healthy camp life and handy pioneer training. Their moral character is developed by our method of self government under a code of chivalry in the Scout law. Their spiritual character is developed by their being brought face to face with the wonders and beauties of nature. The boy is naturally active, rather than passive in temperament, and we give him opportunities of performance rather than of profession. Scouts make themselves efficient not merely for their own good but in order to be helpful to the community. In other words, they train to be good citizens. Character is far more essential to a successful career of a man. Character in its individual members is essential for the character of the nation. And character in the nation is similarly essential to its welfare. As a school of character therefore, the Scout movement is non-military, non-sectarian, non-political and non-class. On these lines the movement has come in the space of twelve years to be adopted by every civilized country. The brotherhood spirit has thus grown up automatically. It is forming a personal tie not only between the states of the British Commonwealth, but also between the different foreign counties, it may just supply that soul which is needed to make the form of the League of Nations a living force, such as will render war impossible in the future. The movement is growing every day in size and in effect. All we want are more men in this great brotherhood of service to do this joyous work for God, their country, and the boys. The work, for all who try it can testify, is well worthwhile. - Baden Powell

Nov 6, 2024: US Court of Appeals for Third Circuit: Judge Cheryl Ann Krause, Judge Anthony J. Scirica, Judge Marjorie O. Rendell Source (check for updates): https://www2.ca3.uscourts.gov/OralArgSummariesLanding/CasesDetails.aspx?hrngDt=20241106

Bird Banding Campout "On one recent weekend, 18 Scouts from BSA Troop 639 held a bird banding campout in northern Minnesota. The experience was a first for all involved, and made possible by one Scout’s grandfather, master bander and White Bear Lake resident Frank Taylor. Taylor greeted the troop at the banding site with the day’s first capture already in hand: a sharp-shinned hawk. He proceeded to tell all about that species’ physical features, diet and migration. He then enlisted the Scouts to help him record the bird’s measurements and information from its newly attached band. One fortunate Scout, Declan Johnson, was chosen to release it back onto its journey south. As he worked, Taylor showed the Scouts his equipment, talked about the banding process and shared more about raptors and their migration through northwestern Minnesota. He explained that since the vast water of Lake Superior doesn’t produce the warm air thermals the birds need to make their long migrations, they are funneled down the North Shore. As a result, they pass his banding station—and Duluth’s famous Hawk Ridge—in large numbers each fall." ( Read link) Scout Owen Tollefson remarked “It was just so cool. I felt like I wouldn’t have an experience like this, probably never in my life again.” What a great program idea. Scout salute. Much more (including photos) at sources: https://www.presspubs.com/white_bear/news/white-bear-lake-master-bird-bander-widens-scouts-outdoor-world/article_ef7e8408-9678-11ef-851b-87c14a58c2b1.html North Shore Banding - Frank Taylor https://bandingreports.blogspot.com/

A Maine scout's memories: His scoutmaster and assistant scoutmasters "never cared much for the achievement of badges, and focused far more on the experiences, and the hands on skills we learned." His scoutmaster's "barn* was a cabinet-making shop, and we were all introduced to the beauty of fine woodworking. The project that holds the most significance to me was the time he had each of us create a milking stool, cutting out the pieces, sanding and staining. The stool I made still resides in my mother’ living room." "An especially memorable camping trip found us on Warren Island State Park, just off Islesboro, and the activity leading up to it that had us all make our own slingshots for a competition on the camp-out...Needless to say, the giant paper wasp nest that hung high in the trees above our tent site became the preferred target for a bunch of rowdy boys with homemade slingshots." * Note: The barn was also a microbrewery. Will the old scoutmaster's uniform still fit? See source. IMKO, Scouting is a place that builds character by associating with characters. Adult Method. Source: This week in Lincolnville (Maine): Troop 224 10/27/2024 https://www.pennlive.com/nation-world/2024/10/these-cooking-items-in-your-home-are-linked-to-cancer-causing-chemicals.html

We need a revival of journalism and to do that we need a new generation of journalists - objective, accurate, investigative, brave, and persistent. Martin Baron speaks to this better than I. You might recall him from the Boston Spotlight team (Catholic Church) and the Washington Post. The Case for Objective, Investigative, and Local Journalism written by Martin Baron https://www.carnegie.org/our-work/article/the-case-for-objective-investigative-and-local-journalism/ In the above video, actor Liev Schreiber speaks of "certain kind of courage required to speak truth to power". Here are clips of Mr. Schreiber's portrayal of Mr. Baron in Spotlight. Okay Schiff, you said we need more journalists - the internet is full of them and what does this have to do with Scouts? Well, the internet is full of something, but stories by journalists are hard to find. As for Scouts, this is part of citizenship and who best to WRITE, EDIT, and PUBLISH* stories about Scouting or about any other interests than them, hence my interest in Young Reporter program. And to state the obvious, Scouting needs their published stories. My $0.01 for rambling, *Note: For Journalism Merit Badge a scout is NOT required to get published (only submit) nor edit copy. An unpublished journalist is called a writer. It is not hard to get published, it is hard to get paid.

Yes. Written by a "Young Reporter", made the article even more enjoyable to read.

"At the end of September, members of Poindextor explorer scout group took part in ‘Sky Camp’, a competition where they had to build, sleep and cook food on a platform constructed in the trees. Taking place in the woods at Paccar Scout Camp, the platforms had to be constructed from materials such as wooden poles, ropes, nets and tarpaulins. Participants slept in hammocks, which were suspended between the trees. Every team competing had to have a theme, as well as food and a menu for the weekend...." More at Source including photo: https://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/young-reporter/24678266.northwood-explorer-scouts-sky-camp-2024/

An impressive, well-considered Eagle project, Scout Salute. Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/montevideo-boy-scout-dog-park/